Shawnee Gridders Conclude 3rd Unbeaten Season

December 06, 1990|by PAT BOSHA, The Morning Call

Roy Cortez recently completed his third season as Shawnee Intermedite School football coach-and third undefeated season, too.

Shawnee has compiled a 36-0 record in the three years. What's even more amazing is the differnce in point spread between the Indians and heir opponents. Shawnee has amassed a total of 1,206 points to 68 for its opponents.

Cortez has had plenty of experience dealing with football teams, having coached for a total of 13 years. He started with midget football for three years "way back," then formally launched his scholastic coaching career as an assistant high school coach at Pen Argyl for six years. Even though he taught in Easton, Cortez commuted to Pen Argyl daily until it finally became too cumbersome.

He coached at Easton for a year, then went back to Pen Argyl as head coach of the Green Knights' varsity for three more years. He took a three-year break, and finally returned to Easton as head coach of the freshman team -- an appointment that was a fortunate choice for Easton, since the varsity reaps the benefits of Cortez' expertise by gaining his "graduates."

Directing the Intermediate School team is a cooperative effort between Cortez and the high school coaches. He says that when he took the position, he felt it was important to teach the younger kids "how the varsity wants it done." He teaches the same system as high school coach Bob Shriver in an effort to prepare his kids for what they'll encounter when they join the Rovers.

Cortez says he loves working ith the kids he coaches. "I get along well with kids all kids. I teach at the middle school. I see them coming up and they know me, and when I coach them in ninth grade , I know them.

"I know a lot of their problems, if they have problems. I reason with them, talk with them. You have to. They're a little different than the older kids since some of them are a little temperamental yet ... maybe not mature enough."

According to Cortez, one of the reasons for his success is that he makes the sport fun for his players. "We only practice once a day. Everybody else practices twice a day, even the teams we play; so when we go into our first game, we're really behind everybody else. We don't think we need to have them there twice day. We want to make it enjoyable."

Another thing, he says, is that he plays everyone. His philosophy seems to attract players. His first year, his squad numbered 45; the second year, 55, and this year, 64. He also attributes the team's record to assistant coaches (two paid, and three volunteer) Scott Burd, Jack Sales, Chuck Dailey, Carmelo LaDuca, and Robert Pacchioli. He notes that with such a large staff, the team can break up into smaller groups, where they get more personalized attention. He personally keeps an eye on the way things are going.

Apparently, things go fine. He's quick to add that his players have given him a great deal of talent to work with. When asked if he singles out team "leaders," he notes that leaders emerge themselves. This year, though, there were many, he said, calling special attention to twin wide receivers Jose "Tony" and Carlos "Tito" Lozada; Scott Ord ay, who threw for 15 touchdowns -- probably the most of any freshman quarterback; Eric Thompson, who scored 18 touchdowns -- six of them on returns; Tyrone Randolph, an eighth-grader who scored 11 touchdowns, and linebackers Chris Clarke and Matt Allshouse, who were very big forces on defense.

He says, though, there are "too many to mention them all. Guys stepped forward. You know, somebody got hurt, and guys just stepped forward and took their place."

He also says that the team's three managers -- Amy Gamlin, Stacy Shriver and Heather Kelly -- did a great job. "Those girls -- the managers -- really are a big help to us. They're there every day,and they know what they have to do, and do it without ever having me tell them."

Cortez says that another important aspect of his success can be summed up in one word: support. He says the school administration backs him all the way and he gets a lot of help from the varsity coaches.

"And," he said, "I think Easton has good football because of the people in town -- it's important to them, and they support their kids." It's a tradition, which he stresses is very important and makes a big difference in how the team performs.

Could he name his most memorable moment? "Easily," he said without esitation. "Two years ago at P'burg. We came in 11-0, and they came in -1, and we beat 'em 56-0."

So what's in store for the Indians? How does next year shape up? "I won't even try to predict ," he said. Only two starting linemen return; but, he added, it was that way two years ago, too. "We'll just have to wait and see what happens," he said.